Automatic foul line keeper



` Aug. 5, 1947.

J. A. MaGLAGAN ET AL AUTOMATIC FOUL LINE KEEPER Filed Apri-1 25, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY 5.-

ilg.- 5, 1947; J. A. MacLAGAN ETAL 2,425,254

AUTOMATIC FOUL LINE KEEPER Filed April 25, 1941 2 sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS fa/7725 H M0040 arr ATTORNEYS Patented ug. 5, 1947 AUTOMATIC FOUL LINE KEEPER .l ames A. MacLagan, Forest Park, and Thaddeus A. Walsh, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Pioneer Trust & Savings Bank of Chicago, as trustee Application April 23, 1941, Serial No. 389,976 In Canada December 23, 1940 71 Claims. l

The present invention relates generally to signaling devices and more particularly to foul detecting means for games and recreational contest, such as bowling, where a heavy composition ball or dielectric sphere is delivered across a foul line over which the player may not pass according to specified rules of the game.

The present invention is a continuation in part of our application, Serial No. 293,022, filed September l, 1939, for an Automatic foul line keeper.

Other connecting cases are applications Serial Nos. 612,610 and 612,611 which are divisions of this application.

By way of example, the present invention is illustrated as an automatic bowling foul line keeper to indicate the commission of a foul whenever a player throwing a ball down the alley permits some part of his body, such as his foot, to move across the foul line in a way violating the rules of the game, which rules read to the effect that a foul is committed when the bowler permits any part of his foot, hand or arm to rest on, over, or extend beyond the foul line while any portion of that particular foot, hand or arm is in contact with the alley or the runway in front of the foul line.

In bowling, the main object of the game is to throw the ball with an underhand swing down an alley and so direct the ball that it will hit selected pins standing upon the opposite end of the alley. In doing this, although some players have peculiar individual ways of delivering the ball, practically without exception all players start well behind the foul line and as they swing the ball they take several steps forward to help impart to the ball the proper momentum. After these steps are taken, the player must come to a full stop before reaching the foul line so that in no way does the player contact the alley at or beyond the foul line in a way violating the rules.

In order to penalize a player for fouling, a referes is conventionally placed at the side of the alleys where he has a clear view of all foul lines in the league. Then, whenever, in his judgment, a player touches or unlawfully crosses a foul line, a signal, such as a bell, centrally located, is rung and a foul light manually and selectively Vturned on over the alley where the foul is deemed to have been committed. Arguments regarding the referees exercise of proper judgment are minimized by seldom being questioned. However, many inequities are committed which arise from the human inability of the referee to watch a large number of alleys at the same time and detect every foul and make correct decisions instantly.

For instance, in view of the fact that the referee has to be located at an elevated position the referee is looking downwardly upon those alleys which are close to his station, and somewhat horizontally at the alleys remote from his station. Now and then the hand of a player, an elbow, shoulder or head extends over the foul line without violating the rules. Also, sometimes in catching body-balance a players foot or knee swings out over the foul line without unlawfully contacting the alley. The viewing angle at which these acts are noted by the referee is a source of error, such acts conveying different impressions when viewed vertically, as distinguished from horizontally.

It is one of the purposes of the present invention to eliminate this source of error and insure the detection of any and all unlawful acts committed upon each and every alley without registering fouls for acts permitted by the rules.

Moreover, many times players in practicing for tournaments desire to bowl under tournament conditions, Heretofore, this has been impossible without hiring a foul keeper at an additional expense to act as referee for one or a pair of alleys. This is seldom, if ever, done. Moreover, where several players wish to restrict each other against fouling to prevent arguments, the problem of detecting fouls properly without controversy has been unsolved. It is a purpose of the present invention to enable players at any time and at their option to bowl under tournament conditions. As a corollary to this advantage, the management may impose tournament conditions at any time it may choose to do so in order to detect alley abuse and penalize those players who are found to be fouling repeatedly.

Automatic foul line keepers have been experimented with heretofore but generally speaking they have been inadequate to take care of all contingencies that arise where the commission of a foul is subject to controversy. A player falling across the foul line, or stepping across the foul line, or touching the alley beyond the foul line with his hand, commits an obvious foul. This is detectable by the team captains or any player watching the game. In other cases, however, as where the player jerks his foot back quickly from a fouling position, an automatic foul line keeper is useless unless it is infallible with regard to all contingencies that arise where commission of fouls are other than obvious. We say useless, since in refereeing, poor judgment of a human fi referee is better than a mechanical keeper which is inadequate or subject to failure.

Some oi the prior devices experimented with signaled the foul when the ball passed over the foul line after being delivered in certain ways peculiar to some players. In other devices a system of trips were provided to permit the passage of the ball before the system would detect a foul. In these instances, certain ball deliveries failed to trip the system and a foul could be committed without detectionl Another type of bowling foul line keeper eX- perimented with is one dependent upon variations in speeds. Such, however, has had the difficulty that it fails in its reactance either with a slo-w ball bowler or a fast footed bowler. Either the detector registers a slow ball as a foul when set to catch a fast foot foul or fails to catch a fast foot foul when set to avoid actuation by a slow ball.

One of our o-wn early automatic foul keepers included the use of a photo-electric cell located several feet down the alley beyond the foul line where the light beam served as a trip beam and was located high enough to catch the top of a properly delivered ball and the bottom of a ball loited to a height eXtreme enough to prevent any accurate control of the ball. This beam controlled a time relay. A second photo-electric cell controlling a second relay was located at the foul line. This particular construction is shown and described herein.

The two relays operate in series, and with certain improvements discovered subsequent to our original experiments, the `keeper has been sufficiently improved to render it thoroughly effective under all bowling conditions. Certain advantages and improvements discovered with our early devices have been incorporated in the present invention.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a foolproof automatic foul line keeper which embodies certain novel results and sub-combinations of parts as shown and claimed herein, including those originated in our early developments, and, those pertaining to the successiul operation of the present invention and the several embodiments illustrated, described, and claimed herein.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic foul line keeper which is not aiiected by or responsive to the movement of the ball, especially at the foul line, during the play of the game, yet is instantly responsive to a foul committed at the foul line or within a reasonable distance beyond the foul line.

Another object of the invention is to detect all fouls committed within four or iive inches of the :foul line regardless of how they are committed or the manner in which the ball is thrown.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic bowling foul line keeper which cannot be converted or perverted to a bowlers advantage, such as where he might be tempted to wilfully register a foul if upon his first ball he left pins standing upon the alley which are extremely difficult or impossible to pick up with a second ball. Whenever a foul is registered all of the pins are `returned to the alley and if a bowler were free to register a willful ioul he might be tempted to have all of the pins returned to the alley rather than take the impossible shot. The subject matter of this object is further considered in our divisional application Serial No. 612,610.

It is also the intention of the present invention to provide improved and pleasing foul signais for each pair of alleys distinguishable from one another so that as a matter of temporarily assumed habit, a player is not disturbed by a signaled foul on an adjoining pair of alleys but soon learns the sound of the signal on his own alley and ignores all others.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic foul line keeper that may 'be installed on conventional alleys as an integral part thereof without changing the alley, its appearance and its nish beyond the foul line so that players using various landmarks to assist them in directing the ball, as in spot bowling,

are not confused and need not have a feeling of unfamiliarity with alleys upon which they are accustomed to bowl.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic bowling foul line keeper which to the extent that alleys have to be changed in appearance beyond the foul line, the alleys will be uniform, which, after the player has familiarized himself with one alley, causes no feeling of uniamiliarity in alleys equipped in a like manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide a distinct marking for alleys equipped with an automatic bowling foul line keeper of the nature described.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an automatic foul line keeper which can be easily tested at any time by team captains to determine whether or not the foul keeper is in operation and in proper adjustment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved foul line keeper which is simple in construction, easy to install and maintain, either as original equipment or as equipment added after the alley is installed.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved control circuit for multiple light beams detecting the presence or absence, in sequence or otherwise, of objects passing a predetermined point or spaced points.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved electrical control means for distinguishing between the relative capacity of inductive bodies or between the capacity of an inductive body and a dielectric body. See our divisional application Ser. No. 612,611.

These being among the objects of the invention, other and further objects will `become apparent from the drawings herein, the description relating thereto and the appended claims,

Referring now to the drawings:

Fig. l is a vertical section taken longitudinally oi a bowling alley shown in segment, as equipped with one form of the invention, the principal features of which are shown diagrammatically;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the alley shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic showing of the electric circuits and controls used in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a bowling alley shown in segments as equipped with another form oi the invention, the principal features of which are shown diagrammatically;

Fig. 5 illustrates how the foul signals may be arranged for each pair of alleys;

Fig. 6 is a dia-grammatical sho-wing of another electrical circuit for the embodiment similar to that shown in Fig. 4 which can be used with A. C. or D- C. current; and

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional View of a portion of an alley showing relative positions of the light beams illustrated in Fig. 4 as employed in the circuit shown in Fig, 6.

Referring now to the drawings in further detail, the foul lines on the several alleys illustrated are indicated by the numeral I5. It comprises either a painted tblack line or an ebony strip about one-half inch wide on the alley as disposed between the smooth unvarnished runway II and the finished and highly polished portion I2 over which the ball, such as the ball indicated in broken lines I3, passes to reach the pins I4 that are set upon spots I5 at the far end of the alley.

The type of foul line used with most alleys is .an ebony strip embedded in the alley. Throughout the several views it is preferred that an embedded type of foul line be employed With the present invention.

As illustrated in Fig. l, we prefer to use a photo-electric arrangement in which a source of light I 6 has a beam l1 thereof directed longitudinally of the alley against a mirror. as at I8, which reflects through a lens I and a vertical silt I9a reflects a three inch beam of light 20 across the alley to a corresponding lens I9 and mirror I8 which converges the rays of the beam against a photo-electric cell 2i.

The circuit controlled by the photo-electric cell 2I as illustrated in Fig. 3 where a conventional power line 23, as controlled by a line switch 24, supplies power through a primary coil 25 of a transformer 2S to adapt A. C. current for photocell operation in a two stage transformer coupled amplier 21 in which the relay contacts 28 are controlled to close when the light to th'e photocell is removed. All the tubes 2Q are preferably of the 2.5 volt hot filament type which provides an efficient, low cost circuit wherein a greater amplication per stage is also accomplished. This particular type is similar to the ordinary audio amplification used in radio and sound picture ampliflcation as controlled by a photocell input. The cathode of photoelectric cell 2l is grounded. The remaining elements of the embodiment are shown by conventional symbols and function in a well known manner.

Down the alley a short distance beyond the foul line I0 a standard 3! is erected upon the rail 30a which divides adjacent alleys and a 3A, inch beam 3| is projected across the alley where it catches a ball rolling down the ally as indicated at I3. The beam 3l is preferably located two to four feet down the alley where it will catch the bottom of the ball I3 if it happens to be lofted by the player as it leaves his hand.

A photoelectric cell operated by the beam 3I is indicated by the numeral 32 in Fig. 3 Where it controls an amplifying circuit 33 as energized by the transformer 34 from the main power lines 23 to actuate a normally open relay 35 which is preferably a copper jacket relay closing instantly but having a five to eight second delay release. The switch 36 of the relay 35 is in series with the energizing coil of the relay 28 so that with this particular construction the switch 28 is not opening and closing each time the light beam 26 is interrupted, but rather is only subject to closing when the light beam 26 is interrupted after the switch 36 of the relay 35 is closed. In this way there is very little wear or abrasion, if any, upon the relay 28 or contacts, and the life and adjustment of th'e device is greatly prolonged. Switch 28a may be provided where it will be closed if a players foot slides into the rail.

Relay 28, when actuated by both photo-electric circuits being closed simultaneously, and switch 28a operate a time delay relay 31 which rings the gong 38 and illuminates a signal light 39.

With the device thus described when the player advances toward the foul line and releases the ball, the ball may interrupt or pass over the three inch beam 20 at the foul line, depending upon the height at which the ball is released. Either way, the relay 28 will not close. Then by the time the ball interrupts the beam 3l, a split second thereafter, the light beam 2G' has had a chance to recover itself and the relay coil of the relay 28 remains open at the time that the ball interrupts the beam 3| to close the switch 36. Once the switch 36 is closed, however, it only remains for the light beam to be interrupted again for the foul signal to be sounded. Then any time during a period of live to eight seconds after the ball has passed through the beam 3I any commission of a foul at the foul line Il] is immediately detected and registered.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4 we prefer to use a photo-electric cell 44 containing two anodes 45 and two cathodes 46 disposed upon one side of the alley with a source of illumination 41 upon the opposite side. Two spaced parallel beams 48 and 49 are derived from the light by means of reflectors 5! and 5I respectively, and these beams are collected and directed upon the respective elements of a photo-electric cell 44 by collectors 52 and 53, respectively.

Light beam 48 is located right at the foul line i0 and comprises a ray or beam of ligh't 1/2 inch wide by two or three inches high, being otherwise similar t0 the light beam 20 described in connection with Fig. l. The height of the beam of light may be varied from one to three inches depending upon the manner in which the lens I9, reflectors 5i] and 5I and slits, such as Illa, are arranged, including the construction of suitable shutters (not shown) which might be used if desired. The lower edge of the beam 43 preferably is theoretically coincident with the surface of the alley.

The light beam 4S may be spaced from the foul line in a direction towards the player, a distance as much as four inches, as spaced from the beam 43, depending upon the location of the reflector 5I and th'e collector 53. We, however, prefer to have the light beam 49 located within two inches of the foul line.

Each pair of anodes and cathodes are connected to photo-electric relays. The anode and cathode responsive to the light beam 49 is connected to a photo-electric relay 55 whose switch 54 has a slight closing time lag of less than a second when th'e light beam is interrupted. The anode and cathode, responsive to the light beam 48 located at the foul line I0. controls a photoelectric relay 55 wherein the relay switch 56 closes instantly when the light beam is interrupted and is preferably provided with a slight time delay for opening.

In view of the fact that the current generated in the photo-electric cells is rather slight, we prefer, in this embodiment, to connect the relay switches 54 and 55 in series with each other and in series with the low voltage battery 51 to operate a quick closing, retarded opening relay 53 Whose switch 59 is in circuit with the house power lines 28, a foul light 39 and a single stroke chime bell 38` having a tone pitch which is different for each pair of alleys.

In this particular embodiment of the foul line keeper two spaced parallel beams are employed in a new and novel manner to suit the styles and 7 custorns oi all bowlers. It will be noted that when a player starts to deliver the ball he will start near the end oi the runway il remote from the foul line lil, and the speed oi the ball swinging in space is rapidly increasing up to the time of delivery as the player approaches the foul line, while the player slows down as he slides `forwardly and lets go of the ball. Also, it will be noted that very often the ball does not contact the alley until it has passed beyond the ioul line and pracn tically without exception the forward movement of the player is not stopped until after the ball has been started on its way over the foul line.

When the ball passes through the beams 48 or 45%, or over them, is traveling at its greatest speed at these points and passes through the beams with split second rapidity, whereas the forward sliding foot of the player coming to a stop moves into or through these beams with a slowness well within the speed range of the photo* electric relays 55.

Thus, whether the ball clears the beams of light or passes through them the relays are not tripped simultaneously since the rst relay has a time delay factor oi a split second adjusted to clear the slowest moving ball to be thrown by a player. Furthermore, the fact that the two beams i8 and i9 are spaced slightly apart will also provide a slight delay factor assisting in clearing the ball without responding to its passage through the beams. On the other hand, it is very rare and practically impossible for a player to move his foot across the foul line without tripping the first relay aswell as the lfoul line relay.

Of course it is possible for the player to straddle the foul line and both of the beams, but in view of the fact that the position would have to be atained by the player falling forward upon his hands or face, such a foul would be obvious to the team captains, it being one of the objects of the resent invention to provide an automatic foul line keeper to take care of every situation where there might otherwise be a controversy and to leave the detection of an obvious foul, which is not open to question, to the team captains.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 7 the light beam it is preferably spaced above and slightly in l. i of the beam fills where it will be "rupted by the ball il? the ball is likely to int irupt the beam d8a also when delivered. In this instance, however, as shown iin Fig. 6, the relay which is controlled by the beam 49a, is normally closed and opens upon, the interance of the beam The switch 55a of the rel ,f Stia is in with the normally closed Itch of the relay 52a as controlled by the beam Lilla so th t 1n operation whenever the 4beam lila is interri the circuit relay 53a is opened to prevent the calling or. a foul, it is only when 'the beam litio. alone is interrupted that a foul is called. The location of the beam 49a, oi course, is between the level where the hand normally moves in relinquishing the ball and, the level at which the foot normally moves when a player is sliding to a stop. It would be very seldom that a player would interrupt `the beam 49a with his foot before he would interrupt the beam 43d.

This embodiment also actuates a single tone signal which. as has already been mentioned in the prelintn :y remarks, is preferably used for of alleys with the tone or chime of each signal diierent in pitch or quality from all the others in `.the house. ln providing this, we prefer, as shown in Fig. 5, to connect one lead of each light with the respective foul keepers and connect the other leads of the lights with one lead of the tone signal and the other lead of the tone signal to the source ci electricity. In this way the tone signal sounds for either light without disturbing the other light. It is seldom that adjoining players deliver the ball at the same time so one signal is enough for both alleys and ii both foul, the present invention will signal both iouls properly and separately.

Control circuits may diner somewhat. One relay may be connected in series with a solenoid of a photo-electric relay so that the switch thereof never closes unless the player comes close enough to the foul line to trip the switch 0f the relay and the switch only closes when a foul is committed as further described in our application Serial No. 612,6ll., reference to which is hereby made This is similar in principle to the control interlock described in connection with Fig. 3 and saves the life of the switch which may :be a delicate one as compared with relays capable of carrying a much heavier electrical load.

This principle is carried out also in Fig. 4, but if a. heavier current is to be carried momentarily, it can be done without deleterious results when the switch is protected against continuous use. For instance, a current need not be carried by a delicate switch each time the ball is thrown out may be connected to close only when a foul is committed, which, under norma-1 conditions of tournament, is very seldom.

ln the embodiments illustrated the height of the beam lilo preferably does not extend over three inches above the alley, two inches being adeouate for most purposes. This takes care of those instances where the bowlers shoe has an upturned toe which would not contact the alley at the foul line even though it might extend over 111' L fOlll 1in@ a Slight distance. Any movement of the foot above the two or three inches, as the case would be, would be in the same category as a hand swungy outwardly across the foul line after the delivery of the ball. The height of the beam l would assure the detection of any foot movement which, under the rules of the game, as applied at the present time, would be considered to be a foul.

In event the rules of the game are changed or construed diiierently, the beam is capable of being widened or narrowed. accordingly within three inchesI a range wide enough for all practical purposes since it is highly impractical that the beam taires care of any movement across the foul line above three inches. Very often a players hand will come that close to the alley without being deemed to have committed a technical foul.

Thus, an automatic bowling foul line keeper is provided which is not only pleasing in appearance but which reacts correctly and instantly to any infraction or rules upon the facts of which there might otherwise be a controversy arising from perception or judgment, and players or the management may impose icul detection conditions any time, at will.

Consequently, although certain embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, and other embodiments have been divided out of this application and claimed more speciiically in other patents which come within the scope of the aplnen-ded claims, it will be apparent to those skilled in. the art that 'from the principles and suggestions contained herein various other and further changes can lbcmade without departing from the spirit of the invention the scope of'which is commensurate with the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic foul line keeper for game de vices having a foul line and a region provided for foot movement f a player in front of the foul line, a ray of undulating energy projected over the alley at the foul line', means responsive to interference with said ray including a circuit means responsive to the presence of a players foot in said region proximate the foul line including a circuit, and means controlled by said circuits for actuating a signal.

2. An automatic foul line keeper for game devices having an areaway for foot movement of a player and a foul line, two rays of undulating energy projected over the alley one at the foul line and the other over the areaway in front of the foul line, means responsive to interruptive interference for each ray, switch means controlled by each of said responsive `means connected in series with each other, one of said switch means having a fraction of a second time lag adjustment and circuit means controlled by said switches for actuating a signal identifying the areaway of the devices separately.

3. An automatic foul line keeper for game devices having a foul line and an areaway for foot movement of a player in front of the foul line, two rays 0f undulating energy projected over the alley, one at the foul line and the other at a point upon the areaway spaced a distance less than a ioot from the foul line, means responsive to the interruption of said rays simultaneously for sounding a signal.

4. An automatic foul line keeper for game devices having a foul line and an areaway for foot movement of a player in front of the foul line, means including a ray of ether undulations responding to movement of an object across the foul line a distance less than three inches above it, a circuit controlled by said ray, means on the areaway side of the foul line and reactive in relation to the proximity of a players foot within six inches of the foul line, a circuit controlled by said last means, and a signal, said signal being actuated by said circuits operating cooperatively.

5. For use with a pair of bowling alleys having runway portions terminating in foul lines, electron discharge devices located at spaced points upon each of the bowling alleys for detecting the presence of objects at spaced points upon the alleys, one of said devices detecting movement of an object onto the foul line of said alley, and signal means identifying said alleys separately operated solely by cooperation of said devices upon either of said alleys, said signal means including an audible alarm energized in common with both alleys.

6. For use with a plurality of bowling alleys having foul lines, light sensitive means for detecting infractions of the rules of play at the foul lines separately, electron discharge means for detecting the presence of a human body in front of the foul line less than siX inches from the foul lines separately, an .audible signal means actuated by said detecting means whenever the detecting means on one of the alleys are actuated cooperatively, and visual indicator means actuated in combination with the audible signal and identifying the alley upon which said detecting means are actuated simultaneously.

7. For use with a bowling alley having a foul line, two electron discharge devices located at spaced points upon the alley and responsive to objects passing down the alley past said points, respectively, one of the devices being located at the foul line and substantially responsive instantly to an object coming thereacross, and the other of said devices having a timed period of response when responding to the passage of said object past its respective point, signal means for indicating a foul, and means actuated by said devices for actuating the signal means whenever the devices respond in cooperation simultaneously.

8. For use with a bowling alley having a foul line, two electron discharge devices located at spaced points upon the alley to detect the passage of an object longitudinally past said points, one of said devices being located at the foul line, and the device closer to the player having a fraction of a second delay in response to the passage oi said object past its respective point, the other of said devices being instantly responsive, signal means for indicating a foul, and means actuated by said devices for actuating the signal means whenever the devices cooperatively respond simultaneously.

9. For use with a bowling alley having a foul line, two electron discharge devices located at spaced points upon the alley, one of the devices being located at the foul line and responsive substantially instantly to an object present immediately above the foul line, an electrical current low control means controlled by said one device, the other of said device-s being responsive to objects passing its respective point including delay means, a signal for indicating a foul, and circuit means controlled by the rst two means for controlling said signal solely when said means are in operati-on simultaneously.

10. In an automatic bowling foul line keeper for a bowling alley having a runway for players defined by a foul line, means disposed at said foul line for detecting infractions of the rules of play, electron discharge means disposed upon the runway side of the foul line and responsive to players upon the runway for detecting their presence near the foul line, and signal means controlled by the joint operation of said detecting means and said electron discharge means.

11. .An automatic foul line keeper for a game device having a foul line and. a region provided for foot movement of a player in front of the foul line, a beam of undulating energy projected over the alley to detect the movement of an object above the foul line, means responsive to interference with said beam including a circuit, means responsive to the presence of an object above said region and proximate the foul line including a circuit, and means controlled by said circuits for actuating a signal.

l2. An automatic foul line keeper for a game device having a foul line and a region provided for foot movement of a player in iront of the foul line, a beam of undulating energy projected over the alley to detect the movement of an ob ject above the foul line, means responsive to interference with said beam including a circuit, means spaced from the beam and responsive to the presence of an object `proximate the foul line including a circuit, a signal, and means controlled by said circuits for actuating said signal including an interlock by which said circuits function in a predetermined relationship to actuate said signal.

13. An automatic foul line keep-er for a game device having a foul line and a region provided for foot movement of a player in front oi the foul line, a beam oi undulating energy projected over the alley to detect the movement of an object above the foul line, means responsive to interference with said beam including a circuit, means spaced from the beam and responsive to the presence of an object proximate the foul line including a circuit, a signal, and means controlled by said circuits comprising a plurality of switches controlling the signal when operated in a pre determined relationship.

14. An automatic foul line keeper for a game device having a foul line and region provided for foot movement of a player in front of the foul line, a beam of undulating energy projected over the alley to detect the movement of an object above the foul line, means responsive to interference with said beam including a circuit, means spaced from the beam and responsive to the presence of an object proximate the foul line including a circuit, a signal, and means controlled by said circuits comprising a plurality of switches the action of one of which renders another eifective to control said signal.

l5. An automatic foul line keeper for a game device having a foul line and a region provided for foot movement oi a player in front or the foul line, a beam of undulating energy projected over the alley to detect the movement of an object above the foul line, means responsive to interference with said beam includingr a circuit, means responsive to the presence of an object above said region and proximate the foul line in cluding a circuit, a signal, and means controlled by said circuits including a third circuit operatu ing said signal and a plurality of switches one of which is a relay in the third circuit controlled by onel oi the first two mentioned circuits, and another of which renders said relay ineffective under certain conditions of operation.

1G. An automatic foul line keeper for game devces having an areaway for foot movement of a player and a foul line, two rays of undulating energy extending from one side of the alley to the other side, one at the foul line and the second spaced from the first a short distance where the second will be interrupted first by an object passing from the areaway over the foul line, means responsive to interference with each ray including a signal operated by said means, a device substantially instantly responsive to interference with the first ray, and a delay device preventing operation of the signal in relation to interference with the second ray.

17 An automatic foul line keeper for game devices having an areaway for foot movement of a player and a foul line, two rays of undulating energy extending from one side of the alley to the other side, one at the foul line and the second spaced from the rst a short distance where the second will be interrupted rst by an object passing from the areaway over the foul line, means responsive to interference with each ray including a signal operated by said means, a device substantially instantly responsive to interference with the first ray, and a delay device preventing operation oi the signal for a fraction of a second when the second ray is interrupted rst.

18. An automatic foul line keeper for game devices having an areaway for foot movement of a player and a foul line, two rays of undulating enn ergy extending from one side of the alley to the other side, one at the foul line and the second spaced from the nrst a short distance where the second will be interrupted iirst by an object passm ing from the areaway over the foul line, means responsive to interference with each ray includn ing a signal operated by said means, a device responsive to interference with the iirst ray for opn erating a signal, and a delay device for rendering the rst device inoperative temporarily wlien the second ray is interrupted iii-st.

19. An automatic foul line keeper for game devices having an areaway for foot movement oi a player and a foul line, two rays of undulating energy extending from one side of the alley to the other side, one at the foul line and the second spaced from the rst a short distance where the second will be interrupted before the first by object passing from the areaway over the foul line, means responsive to interference with each ray, and means controlled by said responsive means for operating a signal including an eleu ment rendering said controlled means temporarily inoperative when the means which is responsive to the interruption of the second ray is actuated iirst.

20. An automatic foul line keeper for gaine devices having an areaway for foot movement or a player and a foul line, two rays of undulating energy extending from one side of the alley to the other side, one at the foul line and the second spaced from the first a short distance where the second will be interrupted before the first by an object passing from the areaway over the foul line, means responsive to interference with each ray, and means controlled by said responsive means for operating a signal including a control device having a short time delay.

2l. An automatic foul line keeper for game devices having a foul line and an areaway for vfoot movement of a player in front of the foul line, two parallel rays 0i undulating energy projected over the alley, one at the foul line and the other at a point upon the areaway spaced a short distance from the foul line and proximate the level of the top of the other, means responsive to the interruption of said rays in a predetermined rela` tion for sounding a signal.

22. An automatic foul line keeper ior game de vices having an areaway for foot movement of a player and a foul line, two rays of undulating energy projected over the alley, one on the foul line and the other spaced from the foul line, means responsive to interruptive interference for each ray, switch means controlled by each of said responsive means connected cooperatively with each other, one of said switch means having a fraction of a second time lag, the other of said switch means being substantially responsive immediately, and circuit means controlled by said switches for actuating a signal identifying the areaway or the device.

23. An automatic foul line lree for a bowling alley having an areaway for foot movement of a player and a foul line, two substantially parallel rays of undulating energy extending from one side oi the alley to the other side, one at the foul line and the second spaced from the rst a short distance where a bowling ball passing from the areaway over the foul line may establish simultaneous interruptions of both rays with the second interrupted nrst, means responsive to interference with each ray, means for registering a foul including a signal operated thereby and a device controlled by said responsive means for instantly preventing operation of the signal when the second ray is interrupted first.

24. An automatic bowling foul line keeper for a bowling alley having an areaway for foot movement of a player and a foul line, two rays of undulating energy extending from one side of the alley to the other side, one at the foul line and the second vertically spaced from the first where the second will be interrupted rst by a bowling ball passing from the areaway over the foul line, means substantially instantly responsive to interference with each ray including a signal operated thereby and a plurality of devices, one of which is responsive to interference with the rst ray for operating said signal and another of which renders the first device ineffective to operate the signal during the time the second ray is interrupted.

25. An automatic foul line keeper for a bowling alley having an areaway for foot movement of a player and a foul line, two vertically spaced rays of undulating energy extending from one side of the alley tol the other side arranged to be interrupted simultaneously at the time a bowling ball is above the foul line, one of said rays being disposed at substantially the foul line and the second where it will be interrupted before the rst by a bowling ball when the bowling ball is passing from the area'way over the foul line, means responsive to interference with each ray, and means controlled by said responsive means for operating the signal including an element rendering said controlled means temporarily ineffective in operating the signal when the means which is responsive to the interruption of the second ray is actuated first.

26. An automatic bowling foul line keeper for game devices having an areaway for foot movement for a player and a foul line, two rays of undulating energy extending from one side of the alley to the other side, the one substantially at the foul line extending several inches above the foul line and the second spaced a short distance above the rst where the second will be interrupted before the iirst by a bowling ball passing from the areaway over the foul line, means responsive to interference with each ray, and means controlled by said responsive means for operating a signal including a controlled device operated by the means responsive to interference with the second ray rendering said control means inoperative during the time said second ray is interrupted.

27. For use with a lbowling alley having a ioul line, an automatic foul line keeper comprising means for projecting a beam of undulating energy across the alley at the foul line, means responsive to an interference with said beam for detecting infractions of the rules of play at the foul line, electron discharge means responsive to the presence of a human body contacting the alley at a point proximate to the foul line, signal means identifying the alley with which said responsive means are associated, and means controlled by the cooperative action of said responsive means for actuating said signal means.

28. In a device of the class described for a bowling alley having a foul line intermediate its ends, the combination of light sensitive means responsive to objects within three inches above the foul line, electron discharge means respon,- sive to the presence of a persons foot touching the runway and close enough to the foul line to run the danger of committing a foul, signal means including a visual indicator identifying the alley upon which the person is located, and means controlled by said light sensitive means and said electron discharge means cooperatively for energizing said signal means when they respond in a predetermined manner with respect to one another.

29. For use with a bowling alley having a foul line, two electron discharge devices located at spaced points upon the alley and responsive to objects Vpassing down the alley past said points respectively, one of the devices being located at the foul line and responsive substantially instantly to an object passing over the foul line within a predetermined distance above the foul line, and the. other of said devices providing a period of operation timed to run in relation to the passage of an object past its respective point, means interlocking said devices for cooperative operation, signal means for indicating a foul, and means actuated by said interlocking means for actuating the signal means.

30, For use with a bowling alley having a foul line, devices located at longitudinally spaced points upon the alley, one of the devices including an electron discharge device located at the foul line and responsive to the presence of an object above the foul line, the other of said devices being responsive to an object passing its respective point, an electrical circuit means controlled by said devices in cooperation with each other, and a signal for indicating -a foul controlled by said circuit means. 1

` 3l. For use with a bowling alley having a foul line, a normally resting circuit means, electron discharge devices located at spaced points upon the alley, one of the devices being so constructed and arranged as to be responsive to infractions of the rules of play at the foul line within a predetermined distance above the foul line and including an element associated with said circuit means, another of said devices being responsive to the presence of a bowling ball at its respective point, including an element associated with said circuit means, said elements cooperating to actuate the circuit means when said devices have responded in a predetermined manner, a signal for indicating a foul controlled by said circuit means to signal a foul when said circuit means is actuated.

32. In an automatic bowling foul line keeper for a :bowling alley having a foul line, photoelectric means instantly responsive to interruptions fcr detecting infractions of the rules of play at the foul line, an element controlled by said photo-electric means,- photo-electric means interrupted by the passage of the ball after the ball has travelled along the alley a predetermined distance, an element controlled by the last mentioned photo-electric means, an electrical circuit means controlled by cooperative action of said elements, and signal means operated by said electrical circuit means for identifying the alley upon which the infractions of the rules of play have taken place.

33. For use with a bowling alley having a foul line, a photo-electric device located at a point spaced from the foul line and responsive to a bowling ball passing along the alley at that point, a time relay controlled by said device, a second photo-electric device located at the foul line to detect infractions of the rules of play at the foul line, a relay controlled by said second device, each relay having a switch, means connecting the switches of the relays for operation in series, and a signal controlled by said means.

34. In a foul detecting and indicating system for bowling alleys, a normally inoperative foul indicating signal, narrow detecting Zones extending across the alley, one in the immediate vicinity of the foul line and the other in such spaced relation to the foul line and iirst noted zone that a bowling ball rolled over the foul line will pass out or" the first zone before entering the second zone, independent devices for detecting the presence of objects in said Zones, control apparatus under direct control or the detector for the first zone, control apparatus under direct control of the detector of the second zone, the said control apparatus of the first and second Zone detectors being individually inoperative to initiate foul signal operation and being jointly inoperative to initiate foul signal operation responsive to spaced successive detection by the detectors of the rst and second zones of objects in their respective zones in the order last named, and means under control of the apparatus for the detector of the second zone and responsive to detection of an object in its respective zone to render the apparatus of the detector for the first zone operative to initiate operation of the foul signal responsive to detection of an object in its zone, responsive to coincidental detection by said detecting devices oi objects in their respective zones.

35. In a foul detecting and indicating system for bowling alleys, a normally inoperative foul indicating signal, narrow detecting zones extending across the alley, one in the immediate vicinity of the foul line and the other in such spaced relation to the foul line and first noted Zone that a bowling ball rolled over the foul line will pass out of the fir-st Zone before entering the second zone, independent devices for detecting the presence of objects in said zones, control apparatus under direct control of the detector for the first zoney control apparatus under direct control of the detector of the second zone, the said control apparatus of the iirst and second zone detectors being individually inoperative to initiate ioul signal operation and being jointly inoperative to initiate foul signal operation responsive to spaced successive detection by the detectors of the rst and second zones of objects in their respective zones in the order last named, and means under control of the apparatus `for the detector of the second zone and responsive to detection of an object in its respective zone to render the apparatus of the detector for the iirst Zone operative to initiate operation of the foul signal responsive to detection of an object in its Zone.

35. In a foul detecting and indicating system for bowling alleys, a normally inoperative foul indicating signal, narrow detecting zones extending across the alley, one in the immediate Vicinity of the foul line and the other in such spaced relation to the foul line and rst noted zone that a bowling ball rolled over the foul line will pass out of the first Zone before entering the second zone, independent devices for detecting the presence of objects in said zones, control apparatus under direct control of the detector for the first zone, control apparatus under direct control of the detector of the second zone, the said control apparatus of the first `and second Zone detectors being individually inoperative to initiate foul signal operation and being jointly inoperative to initiate foul signal operation responsive to spaced successive detection by the detectors of the rst and second zones of objects in their respective Zones in the order last named, and means under control of the apparatus for the detector of the second zone and responsive to detection of an object in its respective zone to render the apparatus of the detector for the rst zone operative to initiate operation of the foul signal responsive to detection of an object in its zone, any time within a pre-determined period of time following the period of detection of an object in the second zone,

37. In a foul detecting and indicating system for bowling alleys, a normally inoperative foul indicating signal, narrow detecting zones extending across the alley, one in the immediate vicinity of the foul line and the other in such spaced-relation to the foul line and first noted Zone that a bowling ball rolled over the foul line will pass out of the iirst zone before entering the second Zone, independent devices for detecting the presence of objects in said zones, control apparatus under direct control of the detector for the first zone, control apparatus under direct control of the detector of the second zone, the said control apparatus of the iirst and second zone detectors being individually inoperative to initiate foul signal operation and being jointly inoperative to initiate foul signal operation responsive to spaced ,successive detection by the detectors of the rst and second zones of objects in their respective zones in the order last named, and means under control of the apparatus for the detector of the second zone and responsive to detection of an object in its respective Zone to render the apparatus of the detector for the iirst zone operative to initiate operation of the foul signal responsive to detection oi Aan object in its zone, any time within a pre-determined period of time following the period of detection of object in the second zone, and automatic means terminating the period during which the apparatus oi the first zone detector is operative to initiate signal operation.

38. In a foul detecting and indicating system for bowling alleys, a normally inoperative foul indicating signal, narrow detecting zones extending across the alley, one in the immediate vicinity of the foul line and the other in such spaced relation to the foul line and first noted Zone that a bowling ball rolled over the foul line will pass out of the first zone before entering the second Zone, independent devices for detecting the presence of objects in said Zones, control apparatus under direct control of the detector for the first zone, control apparatus under direct control of the detector of the second Zone, the said control apparatus of the first and second Zone detectors being individually inoperative to initiate foul signal operation and being jointly inoperative to initiate foul signal operation responsive to spaced successive detection by the detectors of the first and second Zones of objects in their 'respective zones in the order last named7 and means under control of the apparatus for the detector of the second Zone and responsive to detection of an object in its respective zone to render the apparatus of the detector for the first zone operative to initiate and maintain operation of the foul signal responsive to detection of an object in its zone, and automatic means terminating signal operation after a pre-determined operating period.

39. In a foul detecting and indicating system for bowling alleys, a normally inoperative foul signal, narrow detecting zones extending across the alley, the irst in the immediate vicinity of the ioul line and the second in such spaced relation to the foul line and the iirst zone that a bowling ball rolled over the foul line will pass out of the iirst zone before entering the second sone, independent devices for detecting the presence ci objects in said zones, and means under jointI control of the two detectors for automatically initiating operation of the foul signal responsive to spaced successive detection by said detectors of objects in their respective Zones in the order opposite to 17 which a bowling ball will normally be rolled through said Zones.

40. In a foul detecting and indicating system for bowling alleys, a normally inoperative foul signaling device, two light wave responsive devices jointly controlling operation of the signal and means for projecting light rays from one side f a bowling alley to the other side thereof parallel to the foul line and below the top of a bowling .ball rolled over the foul line, said light wave responsive control devices each being subject to projected light rays that will be intercepted by a bowling ball rolled over the foul line, the said light ray responsive control devices being so arranged that a bowling ball rolled over the foul line will suc- .cessively interrupt the projected light rays thereto, and in which the light ray responsive device affected by projected light waves second interrupted by a bowling ball operates to set the signal in action responsive to interruption of light waves thereto and dependent upon a signal operative condition of the other light wave responsive devicey in which the last said light ray responsive device is operative responsive to interruption of light rays thereto to nullify the effects of a signal operating condition of the other' said light wave responsive control device.

4l. An automatic bowling foul line keeper for a bowling alley having a foul line including two beams of undulating energy projected across the alley, one at the foul line where it will be interrupted by an object present above the foul line within a predetermined distance, and the other at a point spaced from the first beam, means controlled by the beams vand responsive to interruptance thereof including an electrical circuit having a pair of Switches therein, and a signal controlled by said circuit for indicating a foul when the switches are actuated cooperatively in a predetermined manner.

42. In an automatic foul line keeper for game devices having a foul line and an area for play beyond the foul line from the player, over which a playing piece travels when put into play, the combination of a device for detecting infractions of rules of play at the foul line, `means for detecting the passage of the playing piece over said area of play, and means controlled by said 'device and iirst means for recording a foul only when they are actuated simultaneously.

43. For use upon a bowling alley having a foul line, an areaway therebeyond for the passage of a bowling ball put into play and equipment used during the play of the game including a foul signal; an automatic device including means responsive to the passage of a bowling ball along said areaway, means for registering a foul committed at the foul line, and means controlled by the joint operation of said responsive means and registering means for controlling operation of said equipment.

44. An automatic device for bowling alleys adapted to operate equipment upon the alleys in relationship `to the play of a bowling ball upon the alley including a foul detecting device and means located upon the alley and responsive to the passage of a bowling ball placed in play by a player, electrical circuit means including a Switch controlled by said ball responsive means, and means controlled by the operation of said switch and said device for actuating said equipment when a foul is detected.

45. In an automatic foul line keeper, an electron discharge device responsive to infractions of the rules of play at the foul line including a relay,

18 electron discharge device spaced from the rst and responsive to objects out of contact with the foul line including a relay, said relays controlling switches connected in series with one another, and relay means in. series with said switches for operating a signal.

46. In an automatic foul line keeper, an electron discharge device responsive to infractions of the rules of play at the foul line including a relay having a switch, electron discharge device spaced from the first and responsive to objects out of contact with the foul line including a relay having a switch, the lirst rel-ay vbeing connected in series with the switch of the second relay so that the switch of the first relay is not actuated until the second relay is operated, and means controlled by the switch of said first relay for operating a signal.

47. In an automatic foul line keeper, an electron discharge device responsive to infractions of the rules of play at the foul line including a relay having a switch, electron discharge device spaced from the rst land responsive to objects out of Contact with the foul line including a relay having a switch, one of said relays being connected in series wth the switch of the other relay so that the switch of said one relay is not actuated until the other relay is operated, and means controlled by the switch of said one relay for operating a signal.

48. In an automatic bowling foul line keeper for a bowling alley divided by a foul line into a runway and a hallway that is bounded along its sides by rails, means disposed at the foul line for detecting infractions of the rules of play at the foul line, electron .discharge means located at a point upon the alley to respond to objects passing its respective point, means actuated by a players foot contacting one of the rails, and signal means controlled by the joint operation of said detecting means and said electron discharge means and by the operation of said foot actuated means.

49. In an automatic bowling foul line keeper for a bowling alley divided by a foul line into a runway and ballway, means disposed at the foul line for detecting infractions of the rules of play at the foul line, electron discharge means located at a point upon the alley to respond to objects passing its respective point, and signal means controlled by the joint operation of said detecting means fand said electron discharge means.

50. An automatic foul line keeper for a bowling alley having a foul line including two beams of undulating energy projected from one side of the alley to the other proximate to the foul line, one directly above the foul line and the other where it will be interrupted first by a bowling ball put into play over the foul line, means responsive to interference with each ray, and signal means controlled by said responsivel means, said responsive means being substantially instantly responsive to the interruption of one beam, and being locked from operation by interruption of the other beam while the ball is passing above the foul line.

5l. In a device of the class described for use upon a bowling alley having a foul line and a foul signal, photo-electric means for detecting infractions of the rules of play at the foul line, photo-electric means responsive to the movement of a bowling ball along the alley, and means controlled by said two photo-electric means acting cooperatively to actuate the signal when the ball has been put into play and a foul is committed on the play.

52. In a ioul detecting and indicating system for bowling alleys, a normally inoperative foul indicating signal, independent devices for detecting the presence of objects in diierent zones that extend across a bowling alley in such spaced relation to one another that a bowling ball rolled down the alley `will pass out of one Zone before entering the other Zone, one sone being located at the foul line, and means under joint control of the two detecting devices for initiating operation of .the foul signal.

53. In a foul detecting and indicating system for bowling alleys, a normally inoperative foul indicating signal, means creating two detector zones that extend transversely of a bowling alley in such spaced relation to one another that a bowling ball rolled down .the alley will pass out of one zone before entering the other zone, independent detectors ior detecting the presence of objects in said zones, and means under joint control of the two detecting devices for initiating operation ci the foul indicator when both detectors have been actuated.

54. In a. foul detecting and indicating system for bowling alleys, a normally inoperative foul indicating signal, means creating two detector zones that extend transversely oi a bowling alley in such spaced relation to one another that a bowling ball rolled down the alley will pass out of one Zone before entering the other zone, independent detectors for detecting the presence of objects in said Zones, and means under joint control oi the two detecting devices for initiating operation of the foul indicator, responsive to coincidental detection by said detecting devices of objects in their respective Zones.

55. In a foul detecting and indicating system for bowling alleys, a normally inoperative foul indicating signal, primary and secondary apparatus jointly controlling operation of the foul signal and each including its own detector, said detectors being constructed and arranged to detect the presence oi objects in diiierent zones that extend across the bowling alley in such spaced relation to one another that a bowling ball will pass out of one zone before entering the other Zone, the primary control apparatus being responsive to detection of an object in its respective zone to initiate operation of the foul signal dependent upon a foul indicator operative condition of the secondary control apparatus and being responsive to normal conditions of nondetection to render the secondary control apparatus incapable oi initiating Operation of the foul indicator, the secondary control apparatus being responsive to detection of an object in its respective Zone to initiate operation of the foul indicator dependent upon an indicator operative condition oi the primary apparatus and being responsive to normal conditions oi non-detection 4to render the primary apparatus incapable of initiating operation of the foul signal.

56. In a foul detecting and indicating system for bowling alleys, a normally inoperative foul indicating signal, primary and secondary apparatus jointly controlling operation of the foul signal and each including independent means providing a detector zone for detecting the presence oi objects in its respective Zone, one of said zones being located at the foul line and both of said zones being so spaced `with respect to one another that a bowling ball will pass out of one zone before ente-ring the other Zone, the primary control apparatus being responsive to detection of an object in its respective zone to initiate operation of the foul signal dependent upon a foul indicator operative condition of the secondary control apparatus and being responsive to normal conditions oi 'non-detection to render the secondary control apparatus incapable of initiating operation of the foul indicator.

5'?. In foul detecting and indicating system for bowling alleys, a normally inoperative foul indicating signal, primary and secondary apparatus jointly controlling operation of the foul signal and each including independent means providing a detector zone for detecting the presence ci objects in its respective zone, said zones being so spaced with respect to one another that a bowling ball will pass out of one zone before entering the other zone, the primary control apparatus being responsive to detection of an object in its respective Zone to initiate operation of the foul signal dependent upon a foul'indicator operative condition of the secondary control apparatus and being responsive to normal conditions of non-detection to render the secondary control apparatus incapable of initiating operation of the `foul indicator, the secondary control apparatus being responsive to detection of an object in its respective zone to initiate operation of the ioul indicator` dependent upon an indicator operative condition oi the primary apparatus and being responsive to normal conditions of non-detection to render the primary apparatus incapable of initiating operation of the foul signal.

58. In a ioul detecting and indicating system for bowling alleys, a normally inoperative foul signal, means providing narrow Zones extending across the alley in such spaced relation to one another that a bowling ball will roll completely out of one detecting zone before entering the other thereof, one Zone being located at the foul line, independent detectors for detecting the presence of objects in said zones, and signal control mechanism under joint control of said two detectors. f

59. In a foul detecting and indicating system for bowling alleys, a normally inoperative foul signal, narrow detecting zones extending across the alley, the first in the immediate vicinity of the foul line and the second in such' spaced relation to the foul line and the iirst Zone that a bowling ball rolled over the foul line will pass out of they first zone before entering the second zone, independent devices for detecting the presence of objects in said zones, and means under joint control of the two detectors for automatically initiating operation of the foul signal responsive to spaced successive detection by said detectors of objects in their respective zones in only one predetermined order or progression.

60. In a foul detecting and indicating system for bowling alleys, a normally inoperative foul indicating signal, narrow detecting zones extending across the alley, one in the immediate vicinity of the foul line and the other in such spaced relation to the foul line and `rst noted zone that a bowling ball rolled over the foul line will pass out of the rst zone before entering the second zone, independent devices for detecting the presence of objects in said Zones, a normally open circuit for the foul signal `and which includes a normally open switch, a signal switch actuator, means having a normally open circuit for the signal switch actuator and including two normally open switches, means under control of the first zone detector for maintaining one of the last said switches open responsive to conditions of non-detection in the rst zone and responsive to conditions of detection in the first zone to permit closing of said switch, means under direct control of the second Zone detector for maintaining the other of the last said switches open responsive to conditions of non-detection in the second zone and permitting closing of the last said switch under conditions of detection in the second zone and for a pre-determined period of time following a period of detection in the second zone, whereby a bowled ball rolled through the first and second Zones consecutively will result in only momentary closing and reopening of the switch' under control of the first zone detector before passing into the second zone and will cause the switch controlled by detector of the second Zone to close for a prolonged period during which even momentary detection of an object in the first zone will result in closing of the signal circuit.

6l. The structure defined in claim 60 in further combination with automatic means for maintaining the signal switch closed independently of the two detector controlled switches.

62. In a foul detecting and indicating system for bowling alleys, first and second detector Zones extending across the alley, the first in the immediate vicinity of the foul line, and the second in such spaced relation to the foul line and rst noted zone that a bowling ball rolled over the foul line will pass out of the first zone before entering the second Zone, a normally inoperative foul signal, apparatus for controlling operation of the foul signal and comprising a normally open signal controlling circuit means having two automatic switches, a detector for the first zone, a detector for the second Zone, one of said automatic switches being subject to control by the detector of the first Zone and being responsive thereto to open during conditions of non-detection in the first zone and to close during periods of detection in said Zone, the other of said automatic switches being under direct control of the detector for the second Zone and being responsive thereto to close under conditions of detection in the second zone, and means for maintaining the switch under control of the detector of the second zone closed for a predetermined period of time following the period of detection of an object in the second Zone, whereby a bowling ball rolled successively through the nrst and second zones cannot call a foul signal but will result in closing of the switch under control of the second zone detector for a prolonged period during which detection of an object in the first zone will result in signal operation.

63. In a foul indicating system for bowling alleys, a source of light arranged to project light waves from side to side of the alley above and parallel to the foul line and below the plane of the top of a bowling ball rolled over the foul line, a foul indicator, cooperating primary and secondary control apparatus jointly controlling operation of the foul indicator and each including a light wave activated control device subject to the influence of those projected light waves from said source that will be intercepted by a bowling ball rolled across the foul line, the said control device of the secondary control apparatus being subject to those projected light waves that will be intercepted also by a bowlers forefoot when th'e same is projected over the foul line, the control device of the primary control apparatus being subject only to projected waves other than those that will be intercepted by a bowlers forefoot projected across the foul line, the primary control apparatus being responsive to activation of its control device by the projected light waves to initiate operation of the foul indicator dependent upon a foul indicator operative condition of the secondary control apparatus and being responsive to the interruption of projected light waves to its control device to render the secondary control apparatus incapable of initiating operation of the foul indicator, the secondary control apparatus being responsive to light Wave activation of its control device to render the primary control apparatus incapable of initiating operation of the foul indicator, and responsive to interruption of projected light waves to its control device to initiate operation of the foul indicator dependent upon an indicator operative condition of the primary control apparatus.

64. In a foul detecting and indicating system for bowling alleys, a normally inoperative foul signaling device, circuit means for operating a signal including one normally open switch and one normally closed switch, separate electromagnetically operated devices for independently operating the last said switches, light wave responsive control devices `for independently controlling operation of said last named electromagnetic switch operators, and means for projecting light waves from side to side of a bowling alley above and parallel to the foul line thereof and beloW the top of a bowling ball rolled over the foul line, said light wave responsive control devices each being subject to projected light WavesI that will be intercepted by a bowling ball rolled over the foul line, said light ray responsive control devices being so arranged that a bowling ball rolled over the foul line will successively interrupt the projected light rays thereto, and in which the light ray responsive device affected by projected light waves second interrupted by a bowling ball operates to set the signal in action responsive to interruption of light waves thereto and dependent upon a signal operative condition of the other light wave responsive device, and in which the last said light ray responsive device is operative responsive to interruption of light rays thereto to nullify the effects of a signal operating condition of the other said light wave responsive control device.

65. In a foul detecting and indicating system for bowling alleys, a normally inoperative foul signaling device, circuit means for actuating said signaling device which includes one normally open switch and one normally closed switch, separate electro-magnetically operated devices for independently operating the last said switches, light Wave responsive control devices for independently controlling operation of said last named electro-magnetic switch operators, and means for projecting light Waves from side to side of a bowling alley above and parallel to the `foul line thereof and below the top of a bowling ball rolled over the foul line, said light wave responsive control devices each being subject to projected light Waves that will be intercepted by a bowling ball rolled over the foul line, one of said light ray responsive control devicesbeing positioned and arranged to be acted upon by projected light waves that will be intercepted also by a bowlers forefoot slid over the foul line on to the bowling alley and in which the other said light ray responsive control device is subject only to those projected light rays other than those that will be intercepted by a bowlers foot slid over the foul line on to the bowling alley.

66. In a signalling device for a bowling alley or the like, means responsive to the presence of an object at a predetermined point upon the alley, a second means responsive to the passage of a ball past a predetermined point upon the alley, a signal, and circuit means for actuating said signal controlled by said responsive means, said circuit means actuating said signal when the first mentioned responsive means responds to presence of an object in absence of the second responsive means being responsive to the passage of tlc-e ball.

G7. In a signalling device for bowling aileys or the like having an areaway for foot movement of a player, a beam of undulating energy having a height greater than its width disposed transversely over an al1-ey at o, predetermined point, electron discharge device controlled by said beam and being substantially instantly responsive to interference with the beam, signal means controlled by said electron discharge device, a second beam of undulating energy located above the first, and means substantially instantly responu sive to interruptance of the second `beam and responsive to reestablishment of the upper beam for removing said signal means from the control of the electron discharge device during the time said second beam is interrupted.

68. An automatic device for bowling alleys adapted to operate equipment upon alleys ln relationship to the play or a bowling ball upon the alley including foul detecting device, means spaced from the foul line and responsive to the presence of a bowling ball placed in play by a player, electrical circuit means including a switch controlled by said ball responsive means, and means controlled by the operation of said switch and said device for actuating said equipment in a predetermined manner.

69. For use upon a bowling alley having a foul line, an areaway therebeyond for the passage of a bowling ball put into play and equipment used during the play of the game including a foul signal; an automatic device including means for registering a foul committed at the foul line, means responsive to the passage or a bowling ball along said areawayy and means controlled by the joint operation oi said registering means and said responsive means for controlling the operation of said equipment.

70. In a foul detecting apparatus for bowling Valleys having associated equipment used in the play of the game including a foul signal and a foul line defining a runway from which a bowler delivers a ball across the foul line and down the alley, said apparatus initiating operation of said equipment and including associated devices for detecting the presence of objects in different zones, one of said devices being located` at the foul line for detecting the presence of a bowlers foot at the foul line, and the other of said devices being located beyond the foul line and actuated by a bowling ball after the ball is delivered by the bowler, said Zones being disposed in such spaced relationship to one another that a bowling ball delivered down the alley will have passed out of one of said zones before entering the other of said zones, and means under joint control of the two detecting devices for initiating operation of said equipment.

71. An automatic foul line keeper for a bowling alley having a foul line thereon comprising light sensitive means immediately responsive to an interference therewith for detecting infractions of the rules of play at the foul line, electron discharge means disposed in front oi the foul line and nonresponsive to a ball rolled down the alley for detecting the presence of a human body near the foul line, and signal means energized by said detecting means when they are actuated cooperatively.

JAMES A. MACLAGAN. TI-IADDEUS A. WALSH.

REFERENCES CITED rThe following references are of record in the die of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

